Hangin' in Tampa!

Finally, we have been reunited with our oldest son...

He has had the most amazing time...

Thank you so much to Grammie and Dada and Uncle Tim and Aunt Susan for keeping him so entertained!

We arrived here late on Saturday, but we were up first thing Sunday and so happy to see family.

Check it out, these are all the grand kids on Todd's side.

Timmy, Kati, Sarah, Jess, Todd, Grady, Grant, Mason and Madison.

Missing one, always missing one.

Gigi and Great Grandad.

Aunt Evelyn.

Uncle Cory, apparently Aunt Grace was too busy to get her photo taken.

We even took all the kids to the pool... so much fun...

How cool is Mason!

Today we went to visit at Uncle Tim and Aunt Susan's house.

And after some water play...



.... a VERY intense game of wiffle ball ensued!

Todd Jr. Goofing around.

Up to bat... honestly, he did REALLY well for not playing baseball.

Pitching!

Let em' have it Timmy!

Woosh!

Uncle Tim's turn to pitch!

Cutest spectators in the land!

Swing... Dat Dat had multiple homers!

Hey Kati, what was the score?

28-8

Todds won!

Not only have we been visiting the family but we have had some wildlife encounters as well...

Birds, Bunnies, Deer and some reptiles...

And Robin, don't be jealous, but Dat Dat made a new friend.

This is Cocoa Pup.

Isn't she sweet.

We are having a wonderful time!

No, I am Frant!

So, last week, Dat Dat was watching...

And until this week's episode, Grant Show (remember from Melrose Place!)

had joined the cast.

(poor thing, his character bit the dust tonight.)

Anyway, I tried to tell Grant that the name of the man on the TV was Grant also.

This did not go over very well.

He kept saying "NO, I am Frant!"

He has a little issue with the G in his name.

Too funny.

There was no convincing him.

Apparently he thinks he is one of a kind.

I agree.

Are you a good big sister?

This was the question Grady got last night just before the movie started.

Actually, this is the second time in a week he has been referred to as "her" or "she."

Oh well, I don't care... HE looks awesome with long hair.

So, onto today.

I was alone.

For three hours.

All alone.

No boys.

It was very quiet.

Where were they?

Well, Todd Jr is still in Tampa... living the life...

And Grady and Grant..

They had Vacation Bible School.

They had a wonderful time.



GOD OF THUNDER!

Yep, that's right,

Sorry Todd Jr.

We went to see THOR!

And it was good!

Why sorry?

Cuz he isn't here.

He is in Tampa.

With is Grammie and Dada.

Whooping it up with his cousins.

Going to the pool.

Bowling.

The list goes on.

So, wait... not sorry.

Todd Jr., we went to Thor and it is was fun!

But it would have been more fun with you.

We miss you! (and your goofy faces)

Do you miss us?

Never mind, don't answer that.

A New Do, Basketball, and Needing the Shield...

Today, Todd Jr finally got his summer wish...

Yes, he is channeling his inner Smurf!

And as a special message to all the Grandparents...

Don't worry... he won't be sporting this for the first day of school.

Todd has been playing basketball this summer...

They are dominating every team they play.

Sorry the photos are so yucky.

We did get a little footage during half time.

Oh, and remember in my last post about Thor's Hammer and Captain America's Shield...

Well, just before basketball... Captain America was in serious need of his shield.

Don't worry, he is fine.

But this was courtesy of Thor (aka Grady Joseph)

Maybe we will give Grant the Hammer to dish out some justice.

Very Important Decision!

Actually, it is a decision that was made about two months ago... but I forgot to post about it.

Yes, Halloween is fast approaching...

Only 116 short days away...

and costume choices have been declared.

This is a big deal in our family.

First up...

Todd Jr...

Yes, a large mutant turtle named Leonardo.

I think he wants to be Leonardo so he can have the swords.

Little does he know that may not be a part of our little reptiles ensemble.

Next, Grady Joe...

Think LONG hair and a big hammer...

And same thing with this guy..

We will see about the hammer...

NO Grady, you cannot hammer your little brother into the ground.

(He would try it!)

Finally... Grant.

To be honest his first choice was...

Falcon.

Don't ask, I have no idea.

But we told him that it might be a little difficult to find a costume in his size (much less even find a costume.)

So, we asked about a second choice.

Yes, for those of you who are wondering.

This will be the second time he had been "Merica."

But what the heck!

Don't worry, we'll be getting him a bigger size.

And being that the swords and hammer might still be in play... we had better get him the shield.

Don't cha think?

Happy Early Halloween Everybody!

(Can you tell we are wishing for some cooler weather?)

Do you think Yankee Candle has their Pumpkin Spice Candle available yet?

Happy Birthday America!!!

Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend!

Our 4th of July was GREAT!!!

We had originally planned to go to the beach, but there were some water quality issues along the shore so we went to the local aquatic center.

Not surprisingly, there was plenty of sea life..

Grady was born to swim...

And Grant was born to cause as much trouble as possible...

Not sure why Dat Dat felt the need to capture a photo of the lifeguard... oh wait, that is Todd Jr behind him waiting to plummet down the slide... I swear this is all Todd Jr did the whole time we were there... he loved the slide!

So did Grant... only a much smaller one...

However, the guard did have to blow a 1 whistle at Grant...

NO SLIDING HEAD FIRST!!!

Grady was so happy... he kept clapping... wish you could have seen it... too funny!

So much fun, but so tired.

We knew we would be headed out to the fireworks later so we put them down for a short nap...

I think they could have slept the rest of the day.

Poor Jessie... still not sure what she was up to to be so tired!

You can barely see Grady... but you sure could hear him snore.

Jr. still waking up and ready for FOOD!

Burgers on the Grill....

Lummy, Lummy... (That is yummy, yummy according to Grant.)

Then, off to see the fireworks!

First though, time for a little football instruction...

Catch it!

And a little goofing around..

Dat Dat are you old enough to play with fire?

Don't burn your fingers....

Not like he could hear me.

Did we tell you he had a ruptured ear drum... yikes!

That's it Dat Dat.. hand your three year old a lit sparkler!

I am afraid there were no photos of the actual fireworks, but they were great.

Oh, funny story...

Dat Dat had the boys sing Happy Birthday to America during the day... and we had told them we would go to a party later to see the fireworks... Grant wanted to know if he could have a piece of the birthday cake... too funny!

God Bless the USA!